Typewriter ribbon combination



Nov. 22, 1966 J. P. ARENA ETAL 3,286,808

TYPEWRITER RIBBON COMBINATION Filed June 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.1b

r? ii I 7 15 9 5} FIG. 20 FIG. 2b X 1 I20 /3O 8 7 I a h 1 d 3) 28/8 32/ 5 22/ 24 3/ 26 INVENTORS.

"" JOHN P. ARENA- DELBERT L. CORMAN ALWYN B. PERRY vil/ 14a ATTORNEY.

Nov. 22, 1966 J. P. ARENA ETAL 3,

TYPEWRITER RIBBON COMBINATION Filed June 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5a

United States Patent M 3,286,808 TYPEWRITER RIBBON COMBINATION John P. Arena, Lexington, Delbert L. Corman, Wilmore,

and Alwyn B. Perry, Lexington, Ky., assignors to International Business Machines Corporation, New York,

N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 5, 1964, Ser. No. 372,983 18 Claims. (Cl. 197172) This invention relates to typewriter ribbons assembled in a combination with a hub or spool.

Typewriter ribbons are being used in increasingly large numbers for business and personal applications. It is manifest that savings in cost of a typewriter ribbon are multiplied greatly by the large number of ribbons used.

It is an object of this invention to provide a typewriter ribbon of a type in which cost savings are realized.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a typewriter ribbon which is economical to fabricate and both convenient and highly functional in use.

It is more specific object of this invention to provide increased economics in typewriter ribbons of the high write quality, one use variety.

This invention is concerned generally with a typewriter ribbon which is to be sold in combination with a take-up hub or take-up spool. With such a combination, means must be devised to combine the take-up spool with the supply spool. (The supply spool is, generally, a hub upon which the typewriter ribbon is wound in the conventional manner for subsequent play out by typewriter mechanisms for typing from the ribbon.) It is known to combine a take-up spool with a supply spool so that the two can be sold and handled as a package. Known methods use bulky structures to combine the two spools into a package. connected to spools and ribbon leaders in certain ways and is believed to distinguish over all prior art by the use of adhesives, rather than clips, cups, or similar unwieldly attaching devices.

In accordance with the invention adhesive is attached to the leader of a typewriter ribbon at at least two operative locations. A first operative location is at end portions of the leader on the face away from the supply spool. A second operative location is somewhat internal to the leader on the face towards the supply spool. The tape at the second operative location adheres to internal portions of the leader to hold the entire supply spool together, both during processing and after the assembly is completed. The first operative location is well suited to permanently join a take-up hub.

Several features and modifications contributing to the preferred embodiments also will be made clear in-the following detailed discussion of preferred embodiments of this invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates the unitary combination achieved by the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the leader portion extended to clarify the use of adhesive films.

FIG. 3 illustrates the supply spool in an intermediate condition during fabrication.

FIG. 4 illustrates the final assembly step, which is important in thecost reduction features of the invention.

.FIG. 5 illustrates the environment of the invention, showing how the tapes may be applied to the bulk leader with a low cost, convenient structure.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide the com bination shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a typewriter This invention uses thin adhesive films ribbon with take-up spool well suited for sale and handling as a single package. The spool on the left has a hub 1, which is a single cylinder upon which the typewriter ribbon 3 is wound. As illustrated, the hub 1 has 3,286,808 Patented Nov. 22, 1966 splines 4 adapted to mesh with keyways or splines in a typewriter ribbon feed mechanism of a typewriter. The invention herein described is not directly concerned with how the hub 1 meshes with the ribbon feed mechanism of a typewriter. Any keying arrangement may be used as an incident to the combining means herein described.

The characteristics of the typewriter ribbon 3 are also incidental to the invention. The typewriter ribbon 3 can be of virtually any formulation and structure. Generally the typewriter ribbon 3 will be the one use type now becoming relatively common in the market place. The one use ribbon transfers most of the printing ink material impacted by a type die. The portion of the ribbon actually contacted by the type face is left largely bare of printing ink material, and the once used portion of the ribbon therefore can not be used again.

It is with a one use typewriter ribbon of the type just described that it is highly desirable to include an empty take-up spool as part of the package which includes the ribbon. In FIG. 1 the empty take-up spool 5 is shown at the right. The spool 5 has a cylindrical hub 7 and two wide flanges 9 and 9a (see FIG. la.) In use with a typewriter the flanges 9 and 9a guide the ribbon 3 up the take-up hub 7 so that it can not pile up or down from the hub 7 and thereby jam the ribbon feed mechanisms of the typewriter. The hub 7 is notched internally at 11 to lock with lugs in the feed mechanism of a typewriter. Any means of joining the hub 7 to the typewriter feed mechanism may be used, since this is merely incidental to the invention.

The two spools of the package of FIG. 1 .are joined by adhesive and a leader 13. The leader 13 encircles the typewriter ribbon 3 on the outside and then continues to contact and connect to the hub 7 of the take-up spool 5. And adhesive film connects the take-up spool 5 to the leader 13 at the point shown in FIG. 1. Adhesive joins the leader 13 to the hub 7. Since it is diflicult with reference to FIGS. la and 1b to further clarify the structure used, reference is made to FIGS. 2a and 2b. It will be understood that FIG. 2b shows the laminations greatly exaggerated in width.

FIG. 2a shows a top view of the leader 13 stretched out to its full length. The leader is seen to be bound at one end to the typewriter ribbon 3. The connection is made by a strip of adhesive film 20 and by a second strip of adhesive film 22. (See the side view, FIG. 2b.) It will be apparent that the end of the typewriter ribbon is tightly held to the leader 13 by the overlapping tape 22. It will also be apparent that the end of the leader 13 is tightly held by the overlapping tape 20. The adhesive tapes 20 and '22 are thin and covered with adhesive entirely on one side. The lamination of the tape 20, the leader 13, the ribbon 3 and the tape 22 is a thin, tight, smooth one which will pass through the feed mechanism of a typewriter without snagging.

The immediately extending portion of the leader is a thin film of plastic 24. For purposes of clarity and description this will be called a leader body. This terminology is intended to describe the major structural portion of the leader, as distinguished from tapes and other laminations connected to the leader body for the purposes of the invention and for other purposes. The extension 26 (FIG. 2b) is also a leader body. The leader body is a thin strip making up the major structure of the leader. It must be strong enough to serve the functions of a conventional leader; it must be capable of attachment to the typewriter ribbon; it should be clean to the touch of a person using the ribbon; for use with the invention, it must attach "to adhesive films. The leader body can be a conventional plastic film. In the invention a polyvinyl chloride film is used. This particular plastic has been found to be highly advantageous in that it expands and contracts properly with the polyethylene base film and ink used as \part of the preferred typewriter ribbon 3.

Continuing with the description of the leader 13 in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the second lamination from the left is lamination 28 formed by a metallized tape. A metallized side comprised of a smooth metal faces away from the leader 13. The opposite face of the lamination 28 is covered with adhesive so that it attaches to the leader body 24 in a smooth, tight lamination. The purpose of the metallized lamination is to free adhesive for purposes made fully clear below. The metal is also a visual indicator different in color from the color of leader body 24. It will be made clear below that it is important that the portion 28 which frees adhesive be readily observable The item actually used for lamination 28 is a polyester film with silver on one side and adhesive on the other. It is readily available from commercial sources.

' The final lamination of the leader 13 is a double sided adhesive tape 30. By double sided it is simply meant that adhesive is provided on both sides of the tape 30. One side extends entirely across upon the two leader bodies 24 and 26. It will be noted that a separation 32 is permanently formed between the leader body 24 and the leader body 26. That separation is herein called the window. Adhesive from the tape 30 is exposed through the window 32. It is the window 32 which connects the take-up hub 7 to the supply spool, thus holding close together the unitary combination shown in FIGS. la and 1b.

The adhesive films used are commonly available and are not modified essentially for use with the invention. Pressure sensitive adhesive tape is believed to be the common term describing these materials. In the invention pressure is generally used to join the tape, but it is basically important that the tape is adhesive, whether or not large pressures are used. The tapes consist of a base layer of plastic faced on one or both sides by a sticky material. Adhesive films of the type herein used are commonly used in the home or business to join papers or other light materials. Furthermore, the type of film used, whether transparent, made of paper, or using unusual adhesive materials, would not seem to change or limit this invention.

An intermediate stage in the practicing of the invention is shown in FIG. 3. The width of the laminations are greatly exaggerated to illustrate the spacing and inter-relationships between the various laminations shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b It will be noted that the double sided adhesive tape 30 holds the structure together by acting through the window 32 to contact the metallic lamination 28. The leader body 24 winds around the spool formed by the wound typewriter ribbon 3 and the entire structure is held thus tightly upon the hub of the spool of ribbon 3.

The intermediate stage shown in FIG. 3 can be handled and processed further without additional clamping means or other structures to hold the spool together. The connection between the metallic lamination 28 and the adhesive film lamination 30 is relatively strong if the leader body 24 is pulled up snugly.

It will be recalled that a smooth metalic surface was specified above for lamination 28 so as to free adhesive. By freeing adhesive it is meant that the metallic surface will not retain appreciable adhesive when the window 32 is pulled away from the lamination 28. It is desirable, of course, that the adhesive film lamination 30 adhere well to the metal of lamination 28, and in practice a good connection occurs. The lamination 28 is well in to the leader 13, however, and may pass through ribbon guide means of a typewriter during use. If lamination 28 carries adhesive transferred from lamination 30, it may adhere to ribbon feed mechanism of a typewriter and jam the feed mechanism.

It is in the position shown in FIG. 3 that the metallized lamination 28 is generally viewed to assure that the Window 32 falls upon it and not upon the leader body 24. It is necessary that the lamination 28 be of a distinctive color or texture for ready observation. The metal coating of lamination 28 readily meets this requirement. The window 32 must also be readily discernible. The clear adhesive film used for lamination 28 is readily distinguished from the leader bodies 24 and 26 since the leader bodies 24 and 26 are colored to some attractive color. As above mentioned, the metallized lamination 28 also must free adhesives when the lamination is pulled from the tape 30. The smooth metal has been found not to retain adhesive when the adhesive film is pulled away.

It should be noted that certain changes could be made by on still practicing the basic invention. The leader body 24 is made of polyvinyl chloride because polyvinyl chloride changes dimensions with temperature change in the same proportion as the rolled typewriter ribbon expands and contracts. Should it be possible to use a leader body 24 which inherently rejects adhesive, such as polyethylene glycol terephthalate (which frees the adhesives used in the preferred embodiment), a separate lamination 28 may be unnecessary. It would also no longer be important for the persons practicing the process to distinguish the window 32. In the preferred embodiment, as discussed above, proper position of the window 32 should be verified at least periodically, because permanent transfer of adhesive material through the window 32 to the leader 24 is quite undesirable.

FIG. 4 shows the final step in completing the ribbon combination of FIGS. la and 1b. The adhesive tape 30 is emphasized along in FIG. 4 because only that unit is operative in completing the assembly. Presently the step illustated in FIG. 4 is being done by hand. As illustrated, the hub is positioned near the end of the adhesive tape 30, and the tape 30, which, of course, is integral with leader 13, is wound up a distance less than the distance to the window 32. The adhesive tape 30, as noted above, also has adhesive on the side away from the leader 13. This side of the adhesive tape 30 adheres firmly to the hub 7. The unitary structure of FIGS. la and 1b is created in this last, easily performed step.

Thus, with inexpensive materials and by easily performed steps a ribbon take-up spool combination is formed which is entirely complete and operative. It can be covered with a thin plastic wrap, but this is not necessary. A typewriter operator handles the unit as a single package. Only a small force frees the tape 30 (acting through window 32) to allow the take-up spool 5 to be positioned as required by the typewriter feed mechanism. The adhesive tape 30 still clings to the takeup spool hub 7 to properly connect the take-up spool '5 to the typewriter ribbon 3, through the leader 13. The assembly of this preferred embodiment does not create a sticky leader which might jam the feed mechanism of a typewriter.

It will be understood, of course, that this invention includes also the quantity production of typewriter ribbons. The ribbon 3, in a preferred application, is originally a large, wide roll which is repeatedly cut to proper length and slit into a plurality of relatively narrow ribbons. Such slitting and processing of bulk rolls of transfer sheets is already known. The invention herein described is very well suited to use in a quantity produc-' tion process of this type. A Dusenbery Dual-Rewind Slitter, Model 635 BT, a product of the John Dusenbery Company, Inc., Clifton, New Jersey, is used to slit and wind efliciency by the assembly shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

FIGS. 5a and 5b are simplified illustrations of an assembly which fashions the bulk leader in situ. The struc ture laminates the leader in virtually one simple step.

The leader assembly is' pulled from the output and I severed at a cutting edge much as wrapping paper is made available in a grocery store.

FIG. 5b is the clearest illustration of the bulk leader forming assembly under consideration. A supply spool 40 of polyvinyl chloride leader material is shown journaled in an elevated position. It will be understood that throughout FIGS. 5a and 5b the letter J near a shaft indicates that the shaft is journaled. Fabrication of actual journaling means is a matter of choice. The leader forming assembly actually used with the preferred embodiment was fashioned from available parts to answer the specifications to be described in connection with FIGS. 5a and 5b.

The leader body material 40' first feeds horizontally to be tensioned by a horizontal journaled roller 42. The leader body material is then directed upwardly and rightwardly under a rigid guide bar 44 and then over a journaled horizontal roller 46.

Three tape feed rolls are used to form in bulk the laminated leader assembly of FIGS. 2a and 2b. The first is a journaled and elevated roll 48 of film having adhesive on one side. As shown in FIG. 5a, the tape roll from roll 48 spans one end of the leader body material 40. The second feed roll is a journaled and elevated roll 50 of metallized film having adhesive on one side. Material from roll 50 contacts the leader body material 40 near the left side as shown in FIG. 5a. The third feed roll is a journaled and elevated roll 52 having ad hesive on both sides. Roll 52 is displaced laterally from the two rolls 48 and 50. .The final structure operating upon the bulk leader being formed is the blade holder 54. The blade holder 54 is a pivoted arm. The blade holder 54 is biased into position by a spring 55. The purpose is to bring two razor blade edges 56a and 56b against the leader body material 40 where it passes over journaled guide roller 46. A small strip 58 is cut from the leader body material 40. Strip 58 is not used and may be simply guided out of the way by guide means such as a hooked arm 60. The adhesive films from rolls 48,

50, and 52 are once attached at one adhesive side at the top of journaled roller 46. When leader bod-y material 40 is pulled through the assembly, the adhesive films are pulled from the rolls 48, 50, and 52, and continuously connect to the leader body material without further human or structural intervention.

The structures not already discussed are further tensioning means and also cutting means. The leader body material with the tapes attached passes under journaled, horizontal guide roll 62 and over journaled, horizontal guide roll 64. A cutting edge 66 is also provided.

The leader laminating assembly of FIGS. 5a and 5b is used intermittently when a new leader strip is required for the Model 635 BT Dual-Rewind Sl-itter mentioned above. The leader assembly is pulled out to the desired distance by the operator of the assembly. It is during this pulling step that the adhesive films feed from the rolls 48, 50, and 52. The length of bulk leader required is dictated by the particular slitter used. When this length is reached, the operator pulls upward to sever the bulk leader against the cutting edge 66.

The bulk leader is then attached to the bulk rolls of typewriter ribbon in the normal manner of use of the above mentioned Model 685 BT machine or in the manner required by another slitter should a machine different from the Model 635 BT be used. It is clear, of course, that after the bulk material is slit into ribbons, the tape from spool 48 serves as the tape 20 of FIG. 2b and the other parts of the leader 13 are likewise present. The tape from spool 50 serves as lamination 28 and the tape from spool 52 serves as lamination 30. The end of the leader 13 is trimmed during fabrication in the above mentioned Model 635 BT machine, thus producing the even end of tape 30 and leader body material 26 shown in FIG. 2b. 7

For use with the Model 635 BT machine the bulk leader is wider than that shown in FIG. 5a. The increased width serves as a starting tape for winding a ribbon on a hub in the manner conventional with use of the Model 635 BT machine.

The bulk leader forming assembly of FIGS. 5a and 5b contribute significantly in allowing the economics of the invention herein described to be realized. The bulk leader is fed to the operator of the slitter in virtually a single pulling and tearing steps. The bulk leader is then attached to the slitter without further steps which might otherwise be required to incorporate the laminations of this invention. It is nonetheless true, however, that the invention herein described has significant utility regardless of how the bulk leader is formed, since no matter how the ribbons are slit and wound the invention provides efficient structures and means to permanently attach the hub of a take-up spool.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without depatring from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A ribbon assembly comprising:

a ribbon wound to form a spool,

a leader attached to said ribbon at the end away from the center of said spool and wound on said spool, said leader being connected to said spool by adhesive between said leader and said spool, said leader also having a portion extending away from said connected point and the center of said spool with adhesive on the side of said extending portion away from the center of said spool, said portion extending away away being sufficiently long to permit firm adherence by the adhesive on it to the hub of a take-up spool for said ribbon.

2. A ribbon and hub assembly comprising:

a ribbon wound to form a spool,

a leader attached to said ribbon at the end away from the center of said spool and wound on said spool, said leader being connected to said spool by adhesive between said leader and said spool, said leader also having a portion extending away from said connected point and the center of said spool with adhesive on the side of said spool with adhesive on the side of said 1extending portion away from the center of said spoo a hub attached by the adhesive of said extending portion of said leader.

3. A ribbon and hub assembly comprising:

a ribbon wound on a hub to form a spool,

a first leader body attached to said ribbon at the end away from said hub and wound on said spool,

a second leader body,

a strip of film having adhesive on both sides ofsaid film attached on the side away from said hub to said first leader body and to said spool and also attached beyond said attachment to the spool to said second leader body on the side away from said hub.

4. A ribbon and hub assembly comprising:

a ribbon wound on a hub to form a spool,

a first leader body attached to said ribbon at the end away from said hub and wound on said spool,

a second leader body,

a strip of film having adhesive on both sides of said film attached on the side away from said hub to said first leader body .and to said spool and also attached beyond said attachment to the spool to said second leader body on the side away from said hub,

a hub attached by the adhesive of said strip of film attached to said second leader body.

5. The article as in claim 4 wherein said leader encircles said ribbon at least once.

6. The article as in claim 1 wherein said leader encircles said ribbon at least once.

7. The article as in claim 2 wherein said leader encircles said ribbon at least once.

8. The article as in claim 3 wherein said leader encircles said ribbon at least once.

9. The article as in claim 8 wherein said leader includes a lamination of a material which frees said adhesive when said spool is unattached from said leader, said lamination being positioned at said position of attachment to said spool.

10. The article as in claim 9 wherein said lamination is of a material easily visually distinguished from said leader.

11. The article as in claim 9 wherein said lamination is a smooth metal on the side away from said hub.

12. A process of forming a ribbon and hub assembly comprising:

winding a ribbon and a leader on said ribbon to form a spool, said leader having an adhesive portion facing said spool of adhesive force sufiicient to hold said spool together, said adhesive portion holding said spool together when said leader is wound on said ribbon, said leader having an area beyond said .adhesive portion and away from said spool with adhesive on the side away from said spool and,

subsequently, winding a hub along said leader area beyond said adhesive portion to a point less than the location of said adhesive portion.

13. A ribbon and hub assembly comprising:

' a ribbon wound on a hub to form a spool,

a first leader body attached to said ribbon at the end away from said hub and wound around said spool at least once,

a second leader body,

a strip of film having adhesive on both sides of said film attached on the side away from said hub to said first leader body and to said spool and also attached beyond said attachment to the spool to said second leader body on the side away [firom said hub,

a lamination on said first leader body which frees said adhesive when said spool is unattached from said leader, said lamination being positioned at said position of attachment to said spool,

a hub attached by the adhesive of said strip of film attached to said second leader body.

14. The article as in claim 13 wherein said lamination is of a material easily visually distinguished from said leader.

15. The article as in claim 13 wherein said lamination is a smooth metal on the side away from said hub.

16. The article as in claim 13 wherein said lamination is a smooth silver layer on the side away from said hub.

17. A ribbon leader comprising:

a first leader body,

a second leader body,

a strip of film having adhesive on both sides attached to said first and said second leader bodies to separate said leader bodies to form a wind-ow, said strip of film extending a distance beyond said window sufiicient to provide an attaching surface (for a hub.

18. The article as in claim 17 also comprising a lamination attached on said leader at a point away from said window and said extending portion of said film, said lamination being of a material which frees adhesive.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,212,166 1/1917 Amiss 197172 2,032,845 3/ 1936 Humphner 229-48 2,188,799 l/l940 Roehrl.

2,377,971 6/ 1945 Roesen 24258.5 2,384,223 9/ 1945 Wilbur 22948 2,920,835 1/1960 Gibson 24258.5 3,006,568 10/1961 Willis 242-585 FOREIGN PATENTS 873,882 8/ 1961 Great Britain.

THERON E. CO-NDON, Primary Examiner.

W. T. DIXSON, Examiner. 

1. A RIBBON ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: A RIBBON WOUND TO FORM A SPOOL, A LEADER ATTACHED TO SAID RIBBON AT THE END AWAY FROM THE CENTER OF SAID SPOOL AND WOUND ON SAID SPOOL, SAID LEADER BEING CONNECTED TO SAID SPOOL BY ADHESIVE BETWEEN SAID LEADER AND SAID SPOOL, SAID LEADER ALSO HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID CONNECTED POINT AND THE CENTER OF SAID SPOOL WITH ADHESIVE ON THE SIDE OF SAID EXTENDING PORTION AWAY FROM THE CENTER OF SAID SPOOL, SAID PORTION EXTENDING AWAY AWAY BEING SUFFICIENTLY LONG TO PERMIT FIRM ADHERENCE BY THE ADHESIVE ON IT TO THE HUB OF A TAKE-UP SPOOL FOR SAID RIBBON. 